Electric-current-dispensing device



Nov. 15, 1927. v 1,649,354

w. E. KNOWLES ELECTRIC CURRENT DISPENSING DEVI CE Filed June 29 1925 4 Sheets-Sheer, l

Nov. 15, 1927. w. E. KNOWLES ELECTRIC CURRENT DISPENSING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Shet 2 Maw 70/? Ma //7// 7 Kym/1&5 W

Filed June Nov. 15, 1927.

w. E. KNOWLES ELECTRIC CURRENT DISPENSING DEVICE 4 SheefcsSheet 3 Filed June 29, 1925 Nov. 15, 1927.

Filed June 29, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. KNOWLES, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ELLEC'IRIG-CURRENT-DISPENSING DEVICE.

Application fil'ed June 29, 1925. Serial No. 40,353.

My invention relates to improvements in.

auton'iatically disconnected to prevent further use of the current until a-nothertoken.

is inserted.

The primary object of my invention is. to provide an improved device for dispensing electric current for measured periods.

Another object is to provide an improved device which may be conveniently transported from place to place and installed for temporary service as required.

Another object is to provide an improved device which is operated by the insertion of a token to positively close a circuit for a predetermined period and to automatically break the circuit when the period of time has elapsed.

A further object is to provideanimproveddevice wherein tin'iing mechanism is positively started simultaneously with the closing oi the circuit and positively stopped and held against movement when the circuit is broken.

Another object is to provide an improved arrangement wherein a secondary circuit is induced from the primary circuit being dispensed and arranged to supply energy for automatically breaking the primary circuit and stopping the timing mechanism at the end of a predetermined period.

A further object is to provide a device of improved construction wherein a single movable armature is utilized for controlling the primary circuit and the timing mechaiiisin and also for breaking the secondary circuit.

A still further object is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction, and eilicient in operation and which can be economically manutactured and used. I

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the'device disclosed in the drawings form ng a part of the present specification wherein like characters of reference are used to. designate similar parts throughout said specification and drawings and in which,

Fig. 1 is a trontelevation ofiny improved electric current dispensing device with the trout housing cover opened to show the operating mechanism.

Fig. 2; is a vertical transverse section throughthe housing showing the mechanism therein in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the coin con-- vtrol mechanism. i

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the housing showing a plan of the operating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a broken detail view showing the operation ot the secondary current relay and the arn'iatui'e.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the starting arm.

Fig. otthe device.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail showing the manner in: which the timing mechanism is controlled.

F 9 is a sectional detail of the coin inserting means.

I Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 1S used to designate in general a housing having a hinged mounted front cover 2 m ranged to be locked in any suitable manner tonorn'ially close the housing; A bushing 3 is mounted in the top oi" the housing t0 admit conductors st and 5 j'r'orniing feed andreturn wires to a source of electrical energy. not shown. i

The conductors 4 and 5 are connected to contacts arranged to be engaged by the poles of a two pole switch (3 to which are connected conductors 7 and 8. The conductor 8 is connected to a contact 11 adapted to be engaged by a movable contact 9 connected to a conductor 12. The conductor 7 forms one side of circuitto a point or consumption, not shown, the other side of said circuit be ing formed by the conductors 8 and 12 connected throughthe contacts 9 and ll'to close or break the circuit as hereinafter more fully explained. The conductors 7 and 12 are carried outwardly from the housing 1 through a bushing 13' and extended to a motor or other device not shown to be operated.

The switch 6 is mounted upon brackets 14% secured upon a panel 16 "formed of suitable insulating material and detachabl'y secured within the back of the housing 1 by means of suitable securing elements 17'. An operating button 18 for theswitch 6 extends out-,

( is a conventional wiring diagram wardly through a slot 19 in the front cover 2 of the housing whereby the switch may be manually operated to break the circuit if de sired.

The contact 9 is mounted upon a pivotally movable armature 21 adapted to be moved to carry the contact 9 into engagement with the Contact 11 to close the primary circuit therebetween, and to carry said contact 9 out of engagement with the contact 11 to break the circuit. The contact 9 preferably consists of a metallic pin adapted to be friction-ally engaged by a socket member consti tuting the contact 11, said socket contact being adapted to exert a spring pressure upon the pin to normally hold the contacts in contacting relation.

The armature 21 is provided with an arm 22 adapted to be engaged by a token or a coin 23 of a particular denomination and to be moved thereby to carry the armature and the contact 9 to circuit closing position. To accomplish this the arm is shaped to extend through a slot 24: formed in the side of a chute 26 mounted within the housing 1 and provided with an enlarged upper portion 27 opening immediately below a coin slot 28 formed in the top of the housing whereby a coin inserted through the slot 28 will drop down the chute 26 and be intercepted by the arm 22. A plunger 29 is slidably mounted upon a bracket 31 secured upon the front of the chute 26. The lower end of the plunger is offset as at 32 and the upper end is provided with an actuating member 38 extending outwardly through. the top of the housing 1 whereby the plunger may be depressed against the tension of a spring 3 1 connected between the plunger and the bracket to normally hold said plunger in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The offset portion of the plunger is so arranged that when the plunger .is depressed the plunger will be moved inwardly through a slot 86 formed in the front of the chute 26 to engage the coin 23 and move the same downwardly past the arm 22 as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 9 of the drawings. The movement of the coin downwardly past the arm 22 causes said arm to be displaced and the armature 21 to be swung pivotally as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the contact 9 being thereby carried into engagement with the contact 11 to close the circuit therebetween. The movement required to carry the contact 9 into frictional engagement with the contact 11 is arranged to be such that a coin of smaller denomination than that for which the machine is designed will not cause the armature and contact to be fully moved to circuit closing position and the armature will. be returned to normal position by a spring 37 and thereby prevent the closing of the primary circuit. After the coin 23 has passed the arm 22 it drops into a suitable receptacle 38 placed in the housing 1 be low the chute 26.

The armature 21 is mounted in operative thereby move the armature and the contact P 9 carried thereby to break the primary circuit. The secondary circuit is preferably induced by a transformer 40 having its primary terminals connected into the primary circuit through conductors 11 and 42 connected directly to the conductors 1 and 5, at the switch 6. The secondary terminals of the transformer receive conductors 13 and 14, one of which is connected to a flat spring member a6 while the other is connected through the relay 39 and a conductor 17 to a contact point 18 spaced from the contact member 46, the secondary circuit being normally broken between said contact member 46 and the point 48.

The secondary circuit is arranged to be closed between the. member 16 and the contact point 18 by means of a contact arm 19 arranged to be moved at a calculated rate to automatically close said circuit, at

a predetermined time after the primary circuit has been closed as above explained. This is accomplished preferably by means of a clock mechanism consisting of a train of gears designated in general by the numeral 51, said gears'being mounted within a suitable frame 52 and actuated by means of a clock spring 53 in the well known manner. The contact arm 16 is mounted upon an out vard extension of a shaft 54k adapted to cause the arm to make one complete revolution in a desired period of time. In my preferred construction illustrated in the drawings, the shaft 54: corresponds to the minute hand shaft of the clock so that the arm i9 will be moved through one complete revolution in a period of one hour, the arm being mounted upon what would ordinarily be considered the back of the clock so that the arm is moved in a counter clockwise direction. As the arm is moved by the clock mechanism, the outer end of the arm is caused to engage the spring contact member 16 and form electric contact therewith, said arm being made of suitable conductive material insulated from the clock mechanism by means of a suitable block of insulating material 56. A contact point 57 is secured upon the extreme outer end of the arm 41-9 and arranged to engage and form electrical connection with the contact point 48 at a predetermined point of time, thereby closing the secondary circuit and causing the relay 39 to be energized.

The clock mechanism 51 is controlled and iii) ill)

caused to operate in conjunction. with the armature 21 by means of av control arm 58 rigidly secured upon the armature and adapted to engage the shaft 59 to balance wheel 61 forming a part of the clock mechanism as in the ordinary clock construction. The outer end. of the arm 58 is arranged at substantially right angles to the shaft 59 and is provided with casing. 62. formed of rubber or other resilient material adapted to contact with the shaft. lVhen the armature is in its normal circuit breaking position. the control arm 58 is held with the casing 62 pressed against the shaft 59 as best shown in the enlarged detail shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. In this position sufficient pressure is exerted against the shaft. 59 to prevent the operation of the balance wheel 61 and the operation of the clock mechanism is thus prevented.

lVhen the armature 21 is moved as above explained to close the primary circuit between the contacts 9 and 11, the control arm 58 is moved to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8, the forward movement of the arm and the frictional engagement between the casing 62 and the shaft 59 operating to impart a starting impulse to said shaft 59 and the balance wheel carried thereby in this manner starting the clock mechanism into operation at the instant the primary circuit is closed.

In order to break the secondary circuit after the relay has operated to break the primary circuit, the arm 22 is provided with an extension ($3 extending past the contact arm 46 as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The extension is bent inwardly at its outward end and arranged to be sprung slightly to permit the movement of the contact arm therepast just before engaging the contact point 48. A notch 64 is formed upon the side of the extension adjacent the contact arm do to engage the side of said arm. WVhen the armature 21 is moved to break the circuit, the arm is moved and the notch 6t-caused to engage the edge of the contact arm 46 and move said arm past the contact point 48, in this manner insuring the breaking of the secondary circuit and causing a quick break between the contact points 48 and 57 whereby an arcing and burning of the points is prevented.

My improved dispensing device is intended primarily for rental purposes in connection with washing machines or other electrically driven devices to be used for relatively short periods of time. In this conneetion the dispensing device is arranged to be connected directly between a source of energy and the motor of the machine so that power cannot be delivered to the machine until the primary circuit through the dispensing device has been closed by the insertion of a coin, or token and that after the primary circuit hasbeen so. closedythe. power may be freely used during a predetermined"- period after which the secondary clrcuit. is

closed to automatically break the primary circuit and prevent the further use of power until another coin has been inserted. In.

this. connection the operationof my i1nproved. device is as follows:

The machine or device to be operated is set up and prepared for use in the ordinary manner and connection made through the dispensing device to a source of, power.

When it i: desired to turn on the flow of electricity a token or a com of the prescribed denomination is dropped into the chute 26 and the plunger 29 depressed to force the coin past the arm 22 and thereby move thearmature pivotally about its mounting until the contact 9 is moved into circuit closing relation with the contact 11. The same; movement of the armature that effects the closing of the circuit moves the clock control arm 58 to impart a starting impulse to.

further operation thereof until the primary;

circuit is again closed and said clock mechanism started by the insertion of another coin. The movement of the armature also causes the extension 63 of the arm 22 to engage the contact arm 46 and move the same past the contact point L8, thereby breaking, the secondary circuit.

The switch 6 may be operated manually entirely independently of the automatic circuit closing and breaking elements of the device so that the primary circuit may be turned on or 01f at will during the period for which the device is set in operation.

The period of time and the denomination of coin for which the device is designed may of course be varied to conform to the purpose for which the current is intended to be used. Thus if the average usage forwhich the device is intended to be rented is one hour the contact arm is arranged to be moved through a full rotation in just an hour of time and the coin required to set the device in operation is calculated to meet the normal consumption of power during,

that period. Longer or shorter periods of time may of course be used if desired. The

clock mechani m is wound at intervals as,

required in the ordinaryv manner and the ill):

coins inserted into the device are collected at the convenience of the person renting the device.

The cover 2 of the housing 1 is formed from sheet metal and arranged to be locked to eiiectually close the front of the housing so as to prevent access by unauthorized persons. The chute 2G is enlarged at the top and the slot is sufliciently oiijset from the main vertical portion of the chute to prevent the insertion of an object adapted to displace the armature to operative position without inserting the required coin, in this manner guarding against the unlawful operation of the machine.

The several elements are mounted in compact arrangement within the housing sothat the entire device may be made of relatively smal size so as to be conveniently transported from place to place as required and in stalled in connection with various machines or for various purposes as required. In service the device is so coordinated in action as to obtain a positive and el'iicient operation in opening and closingthe primary circuit and in limiting the dispens ng operation to an accurately regulated period of time. 7

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. An electric current dispensing device comprising the combination with a primary circuit adapted to conduct electricity itrom a source to a point of consumption, ot a pair of contacts mounted within said circuit, one of said contacts being i'novable to open and close the circuit; means for moving the movable contact to circuit closing position; secondary circuit associated with the primary circuit and deriving power therefrom; a relay adapted to be energized by the sec ondary circuit for moving the movable contact to break the primary circuit; a contact arm movable to open and close the secondary circuit; actuating means for moving the contact arm at a calculated rate; and means operated by the relay in conjunction with the movable contact for starting the actuating means when the contact is n'iovedto eir cuit closing position and to stop said actuating means when the contact is moved to circuit breaking position when the contact arm has been moved to close the secondary circuit after a predetermined lapse of time; and means actuated in conjunction with the movable contact for moving the contact arm out of secondary circuit closing position.

2. An electric current dispensing device comprising the combination with a primary circuit adapted to conduct electricity from a source to a point of COUSUIHPtlOIl, of a pair of contacts mounted in connection with said circuit, one of said contacts being movable to open and close the circuit; means for moving the movable contact to circuit closing position; a secondary circuit; a relay adapt ed to be energized by the secondary circuit for moving the movable contact to break the primary circuit; a contact arm movable to open and close the secondary circuit; actuating means for moving the contact arm at a 'alculated rate; and means operated by the relay in conjunction with the movable contact ior startingthe actuating means when the contact is moved to circuit closing position and to stop said actuating means when the contact is moved to circuit breaking position alter the contact arm has been moved to close the secondary circuit after a predetermined lapse of time.

An electric current dispensing device comprising the combination with a primary circuit adapted to conduct electricity from a source to a point of consumption, of a pair of contacts mounted in connection with said circuit, one of said contacts being movable to open and close the circuit; a secondary circuit; a relay connected into the secondary circuit and adapted to be energized thereby; a pivotally movable armature mounted. adjacent the relay and adapted to actuate the movable contact; a contact arm movable to open and close the secondary circuit; actuating means for moving the contact arm at a calculated rate; a control arm connected to the armature and movable therrnvith for starting the actuating means when the movable contact is moved to close the primary circuit and to stop said actuating means when the contact is moved to circuit breaking position after the contact arm has been moved to close the secondary circnitafter a predetermined lapse of time.

4t. An electric current dispensing device comprising the combination with a primary circuit adapted to conductelectricity from a source to a point of consumption, of a pair of contacts mounted in connection with said circuit, one of said contacts being movable to open and close the circuit; a secondary circuit; a relay connected into the secondary circuit and adapted to be energized thereby; a pivotally movable armature mounted adjacent the relay and adapted to actuate the movable contact; a contact arm movable to open and close the secondary circuit; actuating means for moving the contact arm at a calculated rate; a control arm connected to the armature and movable therewith for starting the actuating means when the movable contact is moved to close the primary circuit and to stop said actuating means when the contact is moved to circuit breaking position after the contact arm has been moved to close the secondary circuit after a. predetermined lapse of time; and a member connect-- ed to the armature and movable therewith for moving the contact arm out of circuit closing position in the secondary circuit.

lit)

to open and close the circuit; a secondary circuit; a relay arranged to be energized by the secondary circuit; a pivotally movable armature mounted adjacent the relay and arranged to be actuated thereby. said armature being connected to the movable contact for moving said cont-act to circuit closing and breaking positions; means connected to the armature for moving the armature to carry the contact to circuit closing position; a contact arm movable to open and close the secondary circuit; clock mechanism arranged to move the contact arm at a calcu" lated rate; and a clock control arm mounted upon the armature and movable therewith to impart a starting impulse to the clock mechanism when the movable contact is moved by the armature to close the primary circuit and to stop and prevent further operation of the clock mechanism when the contact is moved by the armature to circuit breaking position after the contact arm has been moved by said clock mechanism to close the secondary circuit after a predetermined lapse of time.

6. An electric current dispensing device comprising the combination with a primary circuit adapted to conduct electricity from a source to a point of consumption, of a pair of contacts mounted in connection with the circuit, one of said contacts being movable to open and close the circuit; a secondary circuit; a relay adapted to be energized by the second circuit; a pivotally movable armature mounted adjacent the relay and adapted to be actuated thereby when the relay is energized, said armature being connected to the movable contact for moving said contact to circuit closing and opening positions; means connected to the armature for moving the armature to carry the contact to circuit closing position; a contact arm movable to open and close the secondary circuit; a clock mechanism, including a balance wheel for moving the contact arm at a calculated ate; and a clock control arm mounted upon the armature and movable therewith to impart a starting impulse to the balance wheel of the clock mechanism when the movable contact is moved by the arn'iature to close the primary circuit, and to stop the balance wheel and prevent further operation of the clock mechanism when the contact is moved by the armature to circuit breaking position after the contact arm has been moved by the clock mechanism to close the secondary circuit after a predeterminedlapse of time, and thereby energize the relay to movesaid armature.

7. In an electric current dispensing device comprising a primary and a secondary circuit, said secondary circuit including a relay and armature movable thereby for breaking the primary circuit, of a pair o'l spaced con tacts connected to opposite terminals of the ondary circuit and normally breaking said circuit; a rotatablecontact arm adapted to bridge said contacts to complete the secondary circuit; and actuating means for moving the contact arm at a calculated rate whereby the secondary circuit may be completed and the primary circuit broken after a predetermined lapse 01 time; and means engaging the contact arm and actuated by the movement of the armature for moving said contact arm out of engagement with the contacts when said armature is moved to break the primary circuit.

8. In an electric current disepnsing device comprising a primary and a secondary circuit, said secondary circuit including a relay and armature movable thereby for breaking the primary circuit, of a pair of spaced contacts connected to opposite terminals of the secondary circuit and normally breaking said circuit; a rotatable contact arm adapted to bridge said contacts to complete the secondary circuit; and actuating means for moving the contact arm at a calculated rate whereby the secondary circuit may be completed and the primary circuit broken after a predetermined lapse of time; and means engaging the contact arm and actuated by the movement of the armature for moving said contact arm out of engagement with the con tacts when said armature is moved to break the primary circuit; and means operated by the armature for preventing further operation of the actuating means when the primary circuit is broken.

9. In an electric current dispensing device comprising a primary circuit and a secondary circuit, said secondary circuit including a relay and an armature movable thereby for breaking the primary circuit, of a rotatable contact arm movable for closing the secondary circuit to energize the relay, and a clock mechanism mounted in connection with the contact arm to move the same at a calculated rate, said mechanism including a balance wheel; and a clock control arm mounted in connection with the armature and adapted to engage the balance wheel shaft of the clock mechanism, said arm being movable to impart a starting impulse to the balance wheel and thence to the clock mechanism when the armature is moved to close the primary circuit, and to stop said balance wheel and prevent further movement of the clock mechanism when the armature is moved to break the primary circuit.

10. An electric current dispensing device comprising the combination with a primary circuit adapted to conduct electricityfrom ill] a source to a point of consumption, of a pair of contacts mounted Within the circuit, one of said contacts being movable to make and break said circuit; means for moving the movable contact to close the circuit; a secondary circuit; relay controlled means operated by the secondary circuit for breaking the primary circuit; a contact arm movable to open and close the secondary circuit; actuating means for moving the contact arm at a calculated rate; and means operated in conjunction with the movable contact for controlling said actuating means, whereby said actuating means is started when the movable contact is moved to circuit closing position and the contact arm moved to close the secondary circuit after predetermined lapse of time and thereby break the primary circuit and stop the actuating means.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my sig- 20 nature.

\VILLIAM E. KNOWVLES. 

